Whitepapers

Before selecting a manufacturing execution system (MES) for a complex process, a company must take time to carefully describe its data flow needs both in current terms and in future scale-up scenarios.

This is a matter of understanding the number of materials and sub-materials processed that need to be tracked, the number of process steps involved, the number of pieces of equipment used, how many parameters are tracked, and speed required to keep production rolling. Those desiring an enterprise standard for MES should calculate this for the most demanding of their facilities.

Many MES are not capable of that level of performance. If your company may have these needs, you need to know the system you select will support you as your needs grow and change.

Master Bond Inc. formulates a comprehensive range of epoxies, silicones and polysulfides to
meet the increasing demanding requirements of the oil and chemical processing industry,
specifically in areas such as:

Underwater Connectivity: Extreme Environments, Complex Requirements

With the diverse range of underwater applications, there truly is no “one size fits all” cable assembly system. Therefore, no off-the-shelf product is standardized for underwater applications. The wide variety of environmental factors drives a need for high-quality connectors and cable assemblies that are precision engineered and designed for underwater applications.

Occasionally we receive calls from customers wanting to know why our
size 17 hybrid linear actuator with an input wattage rating of 7 watts
has better performance than our 46000 can stack version with an input
rating of 10 watts.

The answer to this is the efficiency of the
motor itself. The average hybrid motor is about 65% efficient while the
can stack actuators average about 25% efficiency. There are two primary
reasons for these differences in efficiency…

The Top 20 Tubing & Hose Buying Tips: Part 2

In Part 2
of the Top 20 Tubing & Hose Buying Tips, further considerations for
tubing selection are examined. Topics such as flammability, corrosion
resistance and indoor/outdoor use are reviewed.

It’s all in an
effort to help you choose the right tubing or hose for your application
the first time and avoid the hassle, frustration, downtime and costs
associated with purchasing errors and product returns.

The Future of the Manufacturing Supply Chain- Networked, Mobile, and Collaborative

As we move through 2015, the subject of the future of the supply chain has come back into focus. There are three main trends and technologies that will continue to have an enormous impact on the supply chain: Dynamic networking and connectivity, mobility in manufacturing and modern collaboration.

View this whitepaper to learn how manufacturers are tackling these three critical areas, and how you can prepare your organization for the future of the manufacturing supply chain.

Understanding Additive Metal Manufacturing in 3-D Printing

The world has seen the additive manufacturing and 3-D printing processes evolve from something that was more likely to appear in a science fiction setting than a report in a science journal. Like many of the innovations that have fueled global growth in countless industries, the additive manufacturing process is evolving every day.

The global market for 3-D printing, materials, and related services is projected to reach $16.2 billion by 2018. This number accounts for all materials used in the process, typically plastic and metal. The number of the specialized machines required to apply additives during the manufacturing process has grown from an estimated 355 printers in 2008 to more than 23,000 printers in 2013.

The industries likely to find the most immediate benefits of additive manufacturing innovations are a virtual who’s who of industry giants that thrive on the edge of technological breakthroughs. The medical, military, aerospace, energy, and automotive industries have all found great opportunity in the further development of additive manufacturing.

Aerospace experts believe that additive manufacturing can reduce the lead-time in the development cycle by 80%, compared with conventional manufacturing methods. This may allow aerospace manufacturers to redesign a part up to five times more during a standard component development cycle, leading to significant performance improvements of the components.

Traceability: Vision Inspection is Vital for Brand Protection

High consumer expectations regarding food safety as well as new legal
requirements mean that food and beverage processing and packaging
companies have a growing need for vision systems that check whether
information on a package or label has been applied correctly according
to defined consumer information.

Companies are increasingly using
vision systems as a critical component of their traceability and
recordkeeping protocols. This whitepaper outlines new industry
regulations, the impact of traceability and recordkeeping on the supply
chain and the use of vision systems to minimize product liability.

Tubing & Hose Buying Tips, Part 1

Determining what plastic tubing is best for an application can be a challenge. This paper includes topics such as ingredients, pressure and vacuum, temperatures and flexibility to assist designers, engineers, and buyers with tubing and hose selection. Aims to avoid costly errors and wasted time.

Emergency Stop Devices -- More Than an Off Switch

Emergency Stop (E-Stop) buttons are arguably the most
identifiable element on a piece of machinery and serve a specific
function which is universally known. But they are often misunderstood
and misused. This article explores the requirements for E-Stops.

Achieving Better Adhesion with Proper Surface Preparation

Achieving good adhesion not only depends on selecting the right
adhesive, but also on implementing the best surface preparation
techniques. Regardless of the substrate, proper surface preparation
always plays an essential role in achieving strong bonds. This white
paper explores the various techniques including degreasing, abrasion,
chemical treatments and physical methods.

Variable speed control for all types of industrial equipment is now
readily available on the market with competitive pricing to non-variable
speed controlled alternatives, including in the air compressor
industry. With the advent of prescriptive rebate programs for variable
speed compressors and other equipment, the demand for these types of
controls has increased.

This paper will provide guidance on the design of variable speed
compressors, how they can operate most efficiently with existing
compressors, explain the tools necessary to consider when applying
variable speed compressors to multiple compressor stations (or any
compressors within a system), and provide examples of systems which
required improvement as well as systems which were well optimized.

Emergency Response: Case Studies in Savings

Equipment downtime is lost time…and lost money.

When equipment fails, when breakdowns happen, they create major — and multiplying — aggravations for construction and industrial MRO crews. They’re the kinds of aggravations that can impact your business well beyond the job at hand.

Emergency Stop Devices

Emergency Stop (E-Stop) buttons are arguably the most identifiable element on a piece of machinery and serve a specific function which is universally known. This is not by chance, but instead a requirement as called out by governing bodies such as OSHA and in consensus standards. NFPA 79 defines an Emergency Stop as “a device designed to be used in reaction to an incident or hazardous situation.”

Wireless Digital Switches & Sensors ... Applications & Benefits

Clearly wireless technology has been widely accepted and embraced in the industrial community. New and evolving Standards, the availability of a wide range of devices, and the demonstrated performance of a large, installed base each serve as testimony to their efficacy.

Machining Takes Center Stage

Fryer Machine Systems supplies an American guitar
builder with milling machines for the production of high-quality guitars.
Right-angle head compensation is essential to the accurate, repeatable milling
of guitar necks — an easy task for the Sinumerik 840D CNC on board Fryer
machine.

Moving' on up: Comparing VRCs and Elevators

Business owners looking to build or upgrade facilities today are deluged with details, decisions, permits, and many other concerns. To be successful they are rethinking their operations and overall building design – from warehouses, to manufacturing, to distribution centers – looking for a competitive edge that will increase efficiency, improve safety, and yet be cost effective. For these businesses, one solution that is becoming increasingly more attractive is to better utilize the existing square footage within their buildings by installing a work platform/mezzanine to take advantage of unused overhead space.

Harmonizing Labels Worldwide

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) is an international, standardized set of criteria for labeling chemical containers, drums and barrels. The goal of GHS is to consistently communicate hazard information and safety precautions to ensure proper handling and use of dangerous chemicals.